Artist Spotlight on Joseph Yonke
In the studio: courtesy of Joseph Yonke
Joseph Yonke (b. 2000) Born in Pittsburgh, PA, he just moved to/is now based in Miami after graduating from Penn State. Predominantly focused on portraiture and the human figure, Yonke’s dynamic work includes a coalescence of multiple abstract-related art disciplines: expressionism, surrealism, cubism, impasto, and the strong colors & fierce brushwork of fauvism. Yonke’s style evokes a visceral reaction to the often superficial & disingenuous nature of society today. His works in the upcoming Miami show are, in part, a visual commentary on that notion, mostly created in a state of seclusion, deeply influenced by Yonke’s creative & personal growth and physical & mental isolation while navigating his undergraduate college experience during the pandemic. Making art from the time he could first hold a pencil, he grew up with an artist grandfather who greatly influenced his style (other artists who inspired him include George Condo, Adjei Tawiah, and Willem de Kooning). Yonke’s grandfather has been painting the majority of his life, primarily as a watercolor artist (his artistry has always inspired Yonke, he also has career experience in illustration and other forms of creative media, like working in the advertising world/running his own agency, or when he was a photographer, hanging out of helicopters to get the right shots). Yonke also served as an apprentice under Pittsburgh artist Cory Bonnet.
Please Allow Me To Introduce Myself (48x36) oil paint, acrylic paint, and ink on canvas. 2023
His Miami solo exhibition debut will be starting July 28th to Aug 2nd of the year in the Wynwood Art District at Cuttlefish Gallery (21 NE 22nd St). It will include these images of Yonke’s work that will feature twenty pieces, mostly new works from the past six months, accompanied by some pieces from the last two years while finishing college. As you will see, the face has always been of particular interest to Yonke; people often tell him that he stares, and it is true because he enjoys studying people's faces, from individual expressions & emotions to the unique aesthetic every face inherently has. In his bold works, he aims to examine what is behind these faces; people are complex, chaotic, and dynamic creatures, and Yonke finds this complexity to be captivating and worth representing through art.
Face (48x36) oil paint, acrylic paint, oil stick, and ink on canvas. 2023
To visually explore this particular concept and dance with identity, he often incorporates multiple faces, mouths, or eyes onto a single figure/portrait. For Yonke, if the subject has multiple eyes, they alter how they see a person based on who they are viewing; if they have multiple mouths, they alter the way they speak depending on who they are speaking to or what they prefer to convey to others; if multiple faces, they interchange their persona also based on the context of their present situation. The portraits he paints are distorted for a reason, catalyzing the possibilities for the viewer to identify someone they know or at least a side of someone they know.
Cadmium Cory (48x36) oil paint, acrylic paint, and ink on canvas, 2023
Each piece is deeply personal to Yonke; for example, the context behind the painting “Cadmium Cory” is from when Yonke worked as an apprentice under Pittsburgh artist Cory Bonnet (known for his large steel mill paintings). Cory was the first person to introduce Yonke to the exciting nature of cadmium red oil paint. After experimenting with using more oil paint in his work, he continued to use the color in a majority of his paintings, and it is the dominant background color of the piece "Cadmium Cory." Cory has been inspired and influenced significantly by the steel history of the city of Pittsburgh; his steel mill paintings are incredible, and these giant pieces are painted on materials from historical locations that drove the economy of Pittsburgh. Consequently, Yonke incorporated steel beams into the painting, further representing his apprenticeship. Having Cory as a mentor and guide changed Yonke’s life forever.
ADD (48x36) oil paint, acrylic paint, and ink on canvas, 2023
In the self-portrait “ADD,” Yonke explores life’s daily distractions that seem to be compounding and never-ending, perpetuated by addictions to technology and social media, which can make focusing on a particular task considerably challenging, especially for someone diagnosed with ADD. Painting has become his escape from the "devices" of ordinary life. He has learned to use his ADD as a tool and even an enhancement to his artistic and personal lives. The “ADD" painting, in particular, illustrates who he is and how he functions as a human being, living life to the fullest.
Artist Statement:
There was a lot I observed about people and myself over the last few months. Over this time, I spent the majority of it alone, which is not a hyperbole, so I analyzed what I am about to expand upon adequately. I considered how I and others interact with the people and general society they reside in. Hence my subject matter of interest solidified to portraits. I considered the complexities of the self and identity through those who have been a part of my life in some capacity, along with frequent introspection. At first, my conclusions often frustrated me, thinking that people, especially in my generation, have a profound proclivity to be disingenuous and superficial, therefore diverging from any real source of human connection we all inherently crave. But besides the negative aspects of all people and their tendencies, they are dynamic, beautiful, and extremely complex, which is what I attempted to represent visually.
Life (60x48) oil paint, acrylic paint, and ink on canvas, 2023.
Miami is a great place to be for artists. Art and fashion are significantly present in the culture of this city, and it is evident in so many ways, let alone the fact that it is one of the hosts of Art Basel. There is a prevalence of inspiration that is unique to Miami, such as its diverse community members or even geography. It is generally an environment that feels right for me and is conducive to growing as an artist. My upcoming show is my introduction to my time here.
For more information about Joseph’s work, please visit his site. You can also follow him on Instagram.
